Halo Wars is a real-time strategy game for the Xbox 360. Join the Halo Wars crew on the UNSC ship CFV-88 Spirit of Fire and engage the Covenant head-on in an attempt to hold on to the recently taken human colony of Harvest. All Units!

<h2>Overview</h2><p><i>Halo Wars </i>is a real-time strategy game set in the <a href="/halo/3035-58/" data-ref-id="3035-58">Halo Universe</a>. It begins in year 2531, twenty years prior to the events of <a href="/halo-combat-evolved/3030-2600/" data-ref-id="3030-2600">Halo: Combat Evolved</a>, and documents the Covenant eradication of the Outer Colonies during the <a href="/human-covenant-war/3015-2708/" data-ref-id="3015-2708">Human-Covenant War</a>.</p><h2>Development</h2><p>The game was developed by <a href="/ensemble-studios/3010-1360/" data-ref-id="3010-1360">Ensemble Studios</a>, best known for their work on the <a href="/age-of-empires/3025-22/" data-ref-id="3025-22">Age of Empires series</a>, and is an Xbox 360 exclusive. During the development, Ensemble Studios stayed in contact with <a href="/bungie-studios/3010-476/" data-ref-id="3010-476">Bungie</a>, creators of the Halo <a href="/halo/3025-2/" data-ref-id="3025-2">series</a>, to ensure the game retained the proper look and feel. Some of the specific graphical touches in the game, like getting a scoreboard at the end of each game, the menu system, basic <a href="/custom-ui/3015-2554/" data-ref-id="3015-2554">UI</a> and the style of multiplayer lobbies are evocative of other games in the series. Ensemble Studios also took extra care of the game's controls to ensure that the often-complex actions of an RTS are easy to deal with on the Xbox 360 controller.</p><p>Shortly after the release of the game, the news broke that Microsoft Studios was shutting down Ensemble Studios.</p><p>Two downloadable content packs were released for the game by Robot Studios, which handled post release support of the game, until March 2010 when the newly formed <a href="/343-industries/3010-6753/" data-ref-id="3010-6753">343 Industries</a> took over all support.</p><h2>Plot</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/19745/870134-6876.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-870134" data-size="medium" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1280" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1280px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/19745/870134-6876.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-870134"><img alt="Bring incredible firepower to bear on your enemies" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/19745/870134-6876.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/19745/870134-6876.jpg 1280w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/1/19745/870134-6876.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/19745/870134-6876.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a><figcaption>Bring incredible firepower to bear on your enemies</figcaption></figure><p>The game's story is told through in-game cut scenes, and in-game moments like games in the series. Halo Wars is set in 2531, giving it the earliest setting of the Halo game series, and focuses on the Marine forces of the <a href="/unsc/3015-3859/" data-ref-id="3015-3859">UNSC</a> ship CFV-88 <a href="/the-spirit-of-fire/3055-1918/" data-ref-id="3055-1918">Spirit of Fire</a> as they engage Covenant ground forces after the discovery of an ancient artifact during a journey to <a href="/harvest/3035-338/" data-ref-id="3035-338">Harvest.</a></p><p>The story begins with the UNSC's early battles on Harvest, but also features another colony world, <a href="/arcadia/3035-2452/" data-ref-id="3035-2452">Arcadia</a>, which holds something of great interest to the Covenant. The <a href="/the-flood/3015-645/" data-ref-id="3015-645">Flood</a> is significant in the storyline and several massive <a href="/the-forerunner/3015-80/" data-ref-id="3015-80">Forerunner</a> structures are also explored.</p><p>Although <a href="/master-chief/3005-175/" data-ref-id="3005-175">the Master Chief</a> doesn't make any appearance in Halo Wars, several other <a href="/spartan/3015-666/" data-ref-id="3015-666">SPARTAN</a>s do, these are referred to as Red Team. Other key characters in Halo Wars include the A.I. <a href="/serina/3005-8610/" data-ref-id="3005-8610">Serina</a>, <a href="/ellen-anders/3005-9815/" data-ref-id="3005-9815">Professor Ellen Anders</a>, <a href="/john-forge/3005-9816/" data-ref-id="3005-9816">Sergeant John Forge</a> and the Spirit of Fire's commander, <a href="/captain-james-gregory-cutter/3005-9817/" data-ref-id="3005-9817">Captain Cutter</a>.</p><h3>Story</h3><p>While Sergeant forge is patrolling the northern regions, Alpha Base is attacked and destroyed by the Covenant, with survivors fleeing to the countryside surrounding the area. Rounding up the survivors, Forge leads them in an assault to remove the covenant presence and re-establish Alpha Base. Forge then leads an attack on a relic site that the Covenant has occupied, eventually removing any remaining Covenant, and making it possible for Anders to examine the relic briefly. The Covenant makes a counter-attack, forcing the UNSC to retreat. However, the information Anders gathered from the relic shows that the Covenant has been pointed to a second UNSC colony, <a href="/arcadia/3035-2452/" data-ref-id="3035-2452">Arcadia</a>.</p><figure data-align="left" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/319/214121-halo_wars_handson.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-214121" data-size="medium" data-ratio="0.56275303643725" data-width="494" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 494px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/319/214121-halo_wars_handson.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-214121"><img alt=" All Units!" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/319/214121-halo_wars_handson.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/319/214121-halo_wars_handson.jpg 494w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/319/214121-halo_wars_handson.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></a><figcaption> All Units!</figcaption></figure><p>Following the Covenant to Arcadia, they find that most of the orbital defence ships have been destroyed or damaged in battle with the Covenant. Forge and his forces are deployed to assist the Spartans from Red Team, in an effort to evacuate the civilians from Arcadia City. After they've evacuated, they withdraw to a safer position while waiting for back-up by Spartan Group Omega. Once the back-up arrives, they move in to find out why the Covenant came to Arcadia. Forge and Anders begin to study the area, but suddenly <a href="/ripa-moramee/3005-11521/" data-ref-id="3005-11521">the Arbiter</a> arrives, taking Anders prisoner and wounding Forge; Spartans arrive, but too late to save Anders.</p><p>The Arbiter uses Anders to activate the Apex (a Forerunner installation), revealing a fleet of Forerunner warships, which the Covenant plans to incorporate into their existing fleet. However, Anders manages to escape by using her stasis prison as a translocation device. She then links up with Forge and his Marines, who've managed to clear the area of Covenant forces and establish a base of operation on the Shield World. The UNSC removes the FTL Reactor from the Spirit of Fire and moves into the Apex, planning to detonate it - in hope of the chain-reaction will destroy the whole Forerunner installation and fleet. The Arbiter attempts to stop them, but his Honor Guards are killed by Red Team, and Forge himself manages to kill the Arbiter with one of his own <a href="/energy-sword/3055-115/" data-ref-id="3055-115">Energy Swords</a>. Forge stays behind to detonate the reactor, <a href="/heroic-sacrifice/3015-3530/" data-ref-id="3015-3530">sacrificing himself</a>, while the rest of the UNSC forces activate a portal, to get them out of the blast radius, and evacuates to the Spirit of Fire.</p><p>Since they had to rip out the FTL Reactor, the Spirit of Fire has lost its ability to go faster than light, making the journey home much, much longer than the crew could survive on their limited supplies. The crew therefore enter cryogenic storage. Here, Sergeant John Forge's cryo-tube is closed by Captain Cutter, who briefly nods, while the camera pans down on the words "Sgt. J. Forge", acknowledging the sacrifice he made.</p><p>Serina speaks the final words of the game, in the last moment of the credits over the game's logo, saying:</p><blockquote data-size="small" data-align="center"><p>Captain. Wake up. Something has happened.</p></blockquote><p>The ultimate fate of Spirit of Fire is unknown, and unfortunately will continue to remain unknown, as the game's lukewarm sales and the closing of Ensemble Studios make the possibility of a sequel to Halo Wars slim to nil.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><h3>Technology Advancement</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-205968" data-size="medium" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="1280" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1280px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-205968"><img alt="Covenant base struck from orbit by Spirit's MAC cannon." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg 1280w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg 480w"><noscript><img alt="Covenant base struck from orbit by Spirit's MAC cannon." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg 1280w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3484/205968-935835_20080715_screen007.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></noscript></a><figcaption>Covenant base struck from orbit by Spirit's MAC cannon.</figcaption></figure><p>Throughout the campaign and while playing skirmishes, the player must advance their technology in order to bring out heavier fire power. When technology is increased, more units, upgrades and buildings becomes available. For instance, infantry squads can receive additional members or stronger weapons. Field Armories or Temples, and their upgrades, can become available when technology is increased.</p><p>How to advance in technology is different from both factions. The UNSC has to build and upgrade reactors, while the Covenant has to advance in Ages by purchasing upgrades at the leader temple.</p><h3>Veterancy Points</h3><p>Veterancy Points, or stars, is a rank-like system that each unit has, they determine a unit's statistics such as attack damage, fire-rate and defense. They are gained after a unit kills an enemy, destroys a structure, blowing up a vehicles or other other combat related situations. They are also gained by upgrading the unit through buildings. A unit can have a maximum of 3 stars. Spartan-commandeered Tanks, Grizzlies, Hornets and Hawks can have a maximum of 14 stars, while all other Spartan-commandeered vehicles can have a maximum of 13 stars.</p><h3>Leader Abilities</h3><p>Like many RTS games, Halo Wars features special character abilities, unique powers that grant their respective sides a considerable bonus in a particular field.</p><table><tbody><tr><th>UNSC Leaders</th></tr><tr><td><h3>Captain Cutter</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914102-cutter.png" data-ref-id="1300-914102" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.88372093023256" data-width="387" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 387px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:88.4%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914102-cutter.png" data-ref-id="1300-914102"><img alt="Captain Cutter" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914102-cutter.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914102-cutter.png 387w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914102-cutter.png 320w"><noscript><img alt="Captain Cutter" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914102-cutter.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914102-cutter.png 387w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914102-cutter.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Captain Cutter</figcaption></figure><p>Main page: <a href="/captain-james-gregory-cutter/3005-9817/" data-ref-id="3005-9817"> Captain James Gregory Cutter</a></p><p><b>Leader Power: </b></p><ul><li>MAC Blast - Magnetic Accelerator Cannon blasts an enemy target.</li></ul><p><b>Unique Unit:</b></p><ul><li>Elephant - A mobile infantry trainer</li></ul><p><b>Super Upgrade:</b></p><ul><li>Marines can upgrade to Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) and then drop from Orbit anywhere on the map.</li></ul><p><b>Economy Bonus: </b></p><ul><li>Cutter's bases start with more building sites. (Starting base with 7 pads, other bases start with 5)</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Sergeant John Forge</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png" data-ref-id="1300-914099" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.57040229885057" data-width="696" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 696px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:57.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png" data-ref-id="1300-914099"><img alt=" Sergeant Forge" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png 696w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png 320w"><noscript><img alt=" Sergeant Forge" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png 696w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/17537/914099-sergeant_forge_on_harvest.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption> Sergeant Forge</figcaption></figure><p>Main page: <a href="/john-forge/3005-9816/" data-ref-id="3005-9816"> John Forge</a></p><p><b>Leader Power: </b></p><ul><li>Carpet Bomb.</li></ul><p><b>Unique Unit: </b></p><ul><li>Cyclops - A multipurpose powered exoskeleton suit.</li></ul><p><b>Super Upgrade:</b></p><ul><li>Grizzly - A superior version of the Scorpion tank.</li></ul><p><b>Economy Bonus: </b></p><ul><li>All Supply Pads on Forge's bases start as Heavy Supply Pads.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Professor Ellen Anders</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914096-250px_panders.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-914096" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.5" data-width="250" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 250px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:150.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914096-250px_panders.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-914096"><img alt="Professor Anders" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" data-width="250" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914096-250px_panders.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914096-250px_panders.jpg 250w"><noscript><img alt="Professor Anders" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914096-250px_panders.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/17537/914096-250px_panders.jpg 250w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" data-width="250"></noscript></a><figcaption>Professor Anders</figcaption></figure><p>Main page: <a href="/ellen-anders/3005-9815/" data-ref-id="3005-9815"> Ellen Ander</a></p><p><b>Leader Power:</b></p><ul><li>Cryo Bomb - Freezes enemies in place.</li></ul><p><b>Unique Unit: </b></p><ul><li>Gremlin - Uses an EMP to stun enemy units.</li></ul><p><b>Super Upgrade: </b></p><ul><li>Hawk - a laser beam upgrade to the Hornet.</li></ul><p><b>Economy Bonus: </b></p><ul><li>Cost and research time for unit upgrades reduced by half. (Except for upgrade to Hawks)</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><th>Covenant Leaders</th></tr><tr><td><h3>The Prophet of Regret</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/14440/1293903-192080_260px_regret2_thumb.png" data-ref-id="1300-1293903" data-size="small" data-ratio="1.271186440678" data-width="118" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 118px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:127.1%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/14440/1293903-192080_260px_regret2_thumb.png" data-ref-id="1300-1293903"><img alt="The Prophet of Regret" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 118px) 100vw, 118px" data-width="118" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/14440/1293903-192080_260px_regret2_thumb.png" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/14440/1293903-192080_260px_regret2_thumb.png 118w"><noscript><img alt="The Prophet of Regret" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/14440/1293903-192080_260px_regret2_thumb.png" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/1/14440/1293903-192080_260px_regret2_thumb.png 118w" sizes="(max-width: 118px) 100vw, 118px" data-width="118"></noscript></a><figcaption>The Prophet of Regret</figcaption></figure><p>Main page: <a href="/prophet-of-regret/3005-1299/" data-ref-id="3005-1299"> Prophet of Regret</a></p><p><b>Leader Power:</b></p><ul><li>Plasma Cannon, Cleansing Ability</li></ul><p><b>Unique Unit: </b></p><ul><li>Elite Honor Guard</li></ul><p><b>Combat Upgrades:</b></p><ul><li>Blessed Immolation: Upgrades to fuel rod cannons for damage increase.</li><li>Ancestral Perversion: Dual protector units hover near Prophet and defend him.</li><li>Divine Absolution: Upgrades chair so Prophet becomes a full-fledged flying unit.</li></ul><p><b>Special Upgrades:</b></p><ul><li>Regret's Sentence: Medium cleansing beam which does more damage.</li><li>Regret's Doom: Large cleansing beam for even more damage.</li><li>Regret's Condemnation: Increases damage of beam.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Brute Chieftain</h3><p><b>Leader Power:</b></p><p>Gravity Hammer, Vortex Ability</p><p><strong>Unique Unit:</strong></p><ul><li><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1753805" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.78125" data-width="1280" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1280px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:78.1%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1753805"><img alt=" The Brute Chieftain" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 1280w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt=" The Brute Chieftain" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 1280w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/9/99052/1753805-jm_brutechieftain01.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption> The Brute Chieftain</figcaption></figure></li></ul><ul><li>Brutes, Brute Chopper</li></ul><b>Combat Upgrades:</b><br /><ul><li>Inheritance: Adds passive stun ability to normal attacks.</li><li>Birthright: Chieftain can pull enemies to him during combat.</li><li>Destiny: Adds an area of effect (AOE) stun to Gravity Hammer.</li></ul><br /><b>Special Upgrades:</b><br /><ul><li>Tsunami: Increases Vortex damage and AOE.</li><li>Hurricane: Increases Vortex damage and AOE.</li><li>Singularity. Increases Vortex damage and AOE.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><h3>The Arbiter (<a href="/ripa-moramee/3005-11521/" data-ref-id="3005-11521"> <b> </b><b> </b><b>Ripa 'Moramee</b></a>)</h3><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-211515" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="640" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 640px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-211515"><img alt="The Arbiter" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg 640w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="The Arbiter" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg 640w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/5910/211515-halowars.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>The Arbiter</figcaption></figure><br /><b>Leader Power:</b><ul><li>Dual Energy Swords, Rage Special Attack</li></ul><br /><b>Unique Unit:</b><ul><li>Suicide Grunts</li></ul><br /><b>Combat Upgrades:</b><br /><ul><li>Fiendish Return: Arbiter armor reflects a portion of incoming damage back to attacker.</li><li>Vicious Blades: Adds damage to attack and increases damage reflected.</li><li>Ghastly Vision: Permanent cloak enabled and damage reflection increased.</li></ul><br /><b>Special Upgrades:</b><br /><ul><li>Defiant Rage: Health partially restored with every inflicted fatality.</li><li>Spiteful Rage: Rage mode costs less to maintain.</li><li>Blinding Rage: Rage damage massively increased, also increases the attack power of surrounding allies.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Controls</h2><p>In the past, real-time strategy games have been ported to consoles, examples being <a href="/starcraft-64/3030-3467/" data-ref-id="3030-3467">StarCraft</a> for the Nintendo 64 and the Xbox 360 versions of <a href="/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-battle-for-middle-earth-ii/3030-4867/" data-ref-id="3030-4867">Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth II</a> and <a href="/command-conquer-3-tiberium-wars/3030-17551/" data-ref-id="3030-17551">Command &amp; Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars</a>. While controls have been steadily improving, particularly with <a href="/electronic-arts/3010-1/" data-ref-id="3010-1">Electronic Arts</a> <a href="/command-conquer-3-kanes-wrath/3030-20494/" data-ref-id="3030-20494">Command and Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath</a> stand-alone expansion, the RTS community has traditionally seen console ports as a poor version of their PC originals. Halo Wars has received praise for its innovative controls. Many even claim that Halo Wars has done for console RTS what Halo:CE did for FPS on the console.</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-223705" data-size="medium" data-ratio="0.56382145653876" data-width="1277" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1277px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.4%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-223705"><img alt="Halo Wars allows the player to play as the Humans or the Covenant." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg 1277w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg 480w"><noscript><img alt="Halo Wars allows the player to play as the Humans or the Covenant." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg 1277w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/3808/223705-emag_halowarsqa_2_f9c70.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" data-width="480"></noscript></a><figcaption>Halo Wars allows the player to play as the Humans or the Covenant.</figcaption></figure><ul><li>Left-stick - Moving around</li><li>Right-stick - Zooming In &amp; Out (up/down), turns point of view (left/right).</li><li>A button - select a Unit (hold down to select with a circle)</li><li>A button (Double click) - select all units of the same type</li><li>X button - target enemy, move units</li><li>Y button - Alternative Fire</li><li>Right Bumper - select all units on-screen</li><li>Left Bumper - select every unit on map</li><li>D-Pad- Each direction on the d-pad is mapped to a somewhere with one direction cycling through your bases, one cycles through your troops, another shows you all known enemy units, and the last calls brings up the leader powers menu or if playing as Covenant goes directly to your command unit.</li><li>Left Trigger - When held down the movement around map (Left-stick) is sped up, allowing for more rapid movement around the map).</li><li>Right Trigger - When all units (Left Bumper), or units on-screen (Right Bumper) are selected the right trigger can be pulled to select types of units form those selected.</li></ul><h2>Halo Wars Maps</h2><p>There are 14 maps available in Skirmish. The maps are as follows:</p><ul><li>Chasms (available to play in the demo of Halo Wars as of 2.5.09) {1v1}</li><li>Blood Gulch {1v1}</li><li>Pirth Outskirts {1v1}</li><li>Release {1v1}</li><li>Tundra {1v1}</li><li>Beasley's Plateau {2v2}</li><li>Crevice {2v2}</li><li>The Docks {2v2}</li><li>Labyrinth {2v2}</li><li>Repository {2v2}</li><li>Terminal Moraine {2v2}</li><li>Exile {3v3}</li><li>Fort Deen {3v3}</li><li>Frozen Valley {3v3}</li></ul><h2>Downloadable Content for Halo Wars</h2><p>Despite the fact that <i>Halo Wars </i>is the last game by Ensemble studios, <a href="/robot-entertainment/3010-6592/" data-ref-id="3010-6592">Robot Entertainment</a> confirmed that they would continue to support the game and have DLC packs. The first DLC for <i>Halo Wars </i>was the "Strategic Options" pack which includes three new Game Modes and four new Achievements. The Strategic Options DLC was released on May 19th, 2009.</p><p>The three new modes<b> </b>are:</p><ul><li>Keepaway Mode: In this adaptation of Capture the Flag, teams battle it out to capture and hold a free-roaming Forerunner Sentinel to score points before the other team. The number of Sentinels needed to win scales with the number of players.</li><li>Tug of War Mode: Players must build a stronger army than their opponents to succeed. Defeating enemies is essential, but success is determined by a combination of the army, buildings and resources left standing in the end.</li><li>Reinforcement Mode: Players must adapt their tactics and use the ever changing set of units to outwit and outlast the enemy, all the while facing successive waves of incoming enemy units.</li></ul><p>The four new achievements are:</p><ul><li>One and Done (30 points): Score the winning point on a game of Keepaway against the Legendary A.I.'s</li><li>Pull Hard, Pull Deep (20 Points): Win and never trail in a Tug of War game</li><li>Freak on a Streak (20 points): Gain at least 15 population from a single wave in a Reinforcement game</li><li>Living Loving Bug (30 points): Obtain a Scarab during a Reinforcement game</li></ul><p>On July 1, 2009 the second DLC for <i>Halo Wars, </i>called the "Historical Battle Map Pack Add-on", was released. It costs 800 Microsoft Points and adds four new maps and four new Achievements totaling 100 points.</p><p>The four new Maps are:</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1081302" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.5625" data-width="5120" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 5120px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:56.3%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1081302"><img alt="Glacial Ravine, the latest 3v3 map." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 5120w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Glacial Ravine, the latest 3v3 map." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 5120w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/30/1081302-gr3_final.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Glacial Ravine, the latest 3v3 map.</figcaption></figure><ul><li>Memorial Basin</li><li>Glacial Ravine</li><li>Barrens</li><li>Blood River</li></ul><p>The four new Achievements are:</p><ul><li>Tour Coming Through (30 points): Hot drop 50 squads to your Covenant Leader in a single game on Barrens.</li><li>Never Leave a Man Behind (15 points): Finish with 5000 net resources tributed to your teammates on Memorial Basin except in Deathmatch.</li><li>Drain Cleaner (30 points): Kill 20 enemy squads with a continuous Covenant Leader Power on Memorial Basin.</li><li>Killjoy (25 points): Disrupt 5 active Leader Powers in a single game on Blood River.</li></ul><h2>Halo Wars Limited Edition</h2><p>In addition to the standard edition of the game being sold in stores, a limited collectors edition is also be available. This package includes:</p><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-919055" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.6669921875" data-width="1024" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 1024px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:66.7%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-919055"><img alt="Collector's Only." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 1024w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Collector's Only." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 1024w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_super/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 960w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_medium/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 480w, http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/0/7465/919055-halo_wars_lce_content.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Collector's Only.</figcaption></figure><ul><li>The Mythic Map Pack for <a href="/halo-3/3030-9993/" data-ref-id="3030-9993"> <i> Halo 3</i></a>, which contains the maps Orbital, Sandbox, and Assembly</li><li><i>Halo Wars: Genesis</i>, a graphic novel about the <i>Spirit of Fire's</i> campaign against the Covenant</li><li>A unique, in-game Honor Guard Wraith</li><li>Six "Leader Cards" with pictures and information about major characters in the game</li><li>A <i>Spirit of Fire crew</i> patch... which is more of a rubber coaster.</li></ul><p>A tin game case featuring the Arbiter and Elites on one side, and the traditional spartan box art on the other.</p><h2>Definitive Edition</h2><p><em>Halo Wars: Definitive Edition</em> is an enhanced version of the original Halo Wars that runs natively on Xbox One and Windows 10 that includes improved graphics and all of the game's DLC. <em>Halo Wars: Definitive Edition</em> will be included in the Ultimate Edition of <a href="/halo-wars-2/3030-50510/" data-ref-id="3030-50510"><em>Halo Wars 2</em></a>.</p><h2><i><b>Halo Wars</b></i> Soundtrack</h2><p>A <i>Halo Wars </i>soundtrack is available to buy. It contains a soundtrack CD, and a bonus DVD. The CD contains the following songs:</p><ol><li>Spirit Of Fire <figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1099/921972-9078522x.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-921972" data-size="small" data-ratio="1" data-width="467" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 467px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:100.0%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1099/921972-9078522x.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-921972"><img alt="Halo Wars OST" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-width="640" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1099/921972-9078522x.jpg" data-srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1099/921972-9078522x.jpg 467w"><noscript><img alt="Halo Wars OST" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1099/921972-9078522x.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/1099/921972-9078522x.jpg 467w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-width="640"></noscript></a><figcaption>Halo Wars OST</figcaption></figure></li><li>Bad Here Day</li><li>Perspective</li><li>Money Or Meteors</li><li>Flollo</li><li>Just Ad Nauseum</li><li>Unusually Quiet</li><li>Flip And Sizzle</li><li>Put The Lady Down</li><li>Six-Armed Robbing Suit</li><li>Action Figure Hands</li><li>Status Quo Show</li><li>Part Of The Plan</li><li>Work Burns And Runaway Grunts</li><li>Freaked Out</li><li>Rescued Or Not</li><li>Best Guess At Best</li><li>One Problem At A Time</li><li>De Facto The Matter</li><li>Part Of The Problem</li><li>Fingerprints Are Broken</li><li>Out Of There Alive</li><li>Through Your Hoops</li><li>Under Your Hurdles</li><li>Insignificantia (All SloppyNo Joe)</li></ol>

The sequel to Halo Wars developed by Creative Assembly for the Xbox One and Windows 10.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Revealed at Microsoft's <a href="/gamescom-2015/3015-8632/" data-ref-id="3015-8632">Gamescom 2015</a> press conference, Halo Wars 2 is the sequel to <a href="/halo-wars/3030-20521/" data-ref-id="3030-20521">Halo Wars</a> developed by <a href="/the-creative-assembly/3010-211/" data-ref-id="3010-211">Creative Assembly</a>, most notable for their work on the <a href="/total-war/3025-265/" data-ref-id="3025-265">Total War</a> series. The game is being developed for the Xbox One and Windows 10, set to release in February 2017, and supports Xbox Play Anywhere.</p><h2>Ultimate Edition</h2><p>Halo Wars 2: Ultimate Edition includes the game's Season Pass as well as <a href="/halo-wars/3030-20521/" data-ref-id="3030-20521">Halo Wars: Definitive Edition</a>. It will be released four days before the Standard Edition of the game (February 17th 2017 instead of February 21st).</p><p> </p>

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Bridge Constructor is a puzzle game developed by <a href="/clockstone-softwareentwicklung-gmbh/3010-774/" data-ref-id="3010-774">Clockstone Software</a> and published <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/headup-games/3010-6810/" data-ref-id="3010-6810">Headup Games</a> for multiple platforms.</p><h2>System Requirements</h2><h3>PC</h3><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong> Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> 1,8 GHz</li><li><strong>Memory:</strong> 1 GB RAM</li><li><strong>Graphics:</strong> DirectX9 compatible with Shader Model 2.0</li></ul><h3>Mac</h3><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong> Mac OS 10.6</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> 1,8 GHz</li><li><strong>Memory:</strong> 1 GB RAM</li><li><strong>Graphics:</strong> Graphics card with Shader Model 2.0</li></ul>

Players pilot a craft through multiple planet-gates using a tricky color-matching mechanic.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Flywrench is an action game that involves the navigation of a small flying object across a series of brightly-colored corridors. The player can manipulate the object to match the colors of the environment, which allows them to pass through harmlessly. Otherwise, the object will be destroyed if it touches anything.</p><p>Flywrench was first released as a freeware on January 16, 2007. A Kickstarter campaign for an expanded version launched on September 20, 2009, and succeeded in raising $5,070 of $5,000 goal. The game was finally released on Steam for Windows and Mac on August 24, 2015.</p><p>Official website of Flywrench: <a href="http://messhof.com/flywrench/" rel="nofollow">http://messhof.com/flywrench/</a></p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>In Flywrench, players control a ship using the arrow keys. The ship is constantly falling downwards and players must keep it afloat by tapping the up arrow to flap its wings, while using the left and right arrow keys to glide. Pressing the down key will make the ship go into a roll, which allows players to bounce off of walls without dying.</p><p>The goal of the game is to make it to the end of each level while avoiding obstacles and passing through colored gates. In order to pass through these gates, players must change their ship's color to that of the gate they are passing through. The up arrow key will make the ship red, the down arrow key will make it green, and the ship will be white when neither are pressed. Players must restart the current level if they crash into a wall or fail to change to the right color.</p>

A third-person melee-focused game featuring knights, samurai, and vikings going to war with each other.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>For Honor is a hack-and-slash, <em>musou</em>-style game featuring three different medieval-era factions batting each other for supremacy. The game, developed by Ubisoft Montreal, was first introduced to the world at E3 2015.</p><h2>Plot</h2><p>In a world slightly different from our own, three factions known as the Iron Legion (English knights), Chosen (Japanese samurai), and Warborn (Norse vikings) have managed to survive. However, an evil warlord will scheme to drag these factions into war to fight one another. The Warden, the Orochi, and the Raider will all have to fight to unite their peoples and destroy the evil warlord who threatens them all.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>The game consists of a story mode and several multiplayer modes. In both cases, players will often fight their way through legions of enemy minions to accomplish their goal. </p><p>When fighting another named enemy, the "Art of Battle" system comes into play, where each fighter must choose one of three directions either to attack or to parry their opponent's attacks.</p><h2>Characters</h2><p>[tbd]</p>

A visual novel with some RPG elements that has players live the life of a Monster in a folkloric world. A collaboration between Dejobaan Games and Radial Games.

All Images, Indie Mega Booth, PAX Prime 2013 Booth, PAX Prime 2013

All Images, Indie Mega Booth, Dejobaan Games, PAX East 2013 Booth, PAX East 2013

All Images, Indie Mega Booth, PAX Prime 2012 Booth, PAX Prime 2012

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Monster Loves You! is an adventure game in which players make the decisions for a Monster as they grow older in the Monster Village of Omen. These decisions will change the Monster's appearance, personality, respect from others, and eventually how Monsters and humans see each other.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Every day, the player is given a choice to select one of a number of icons representing adventures. The gameplay mainly consists of making decisions or asking questions through a series of multiple choice options within said adventures.</p><p>Every monster has five personality aspects: Bravery, Cleverness, Ferocity, Honesty, and Kindness. There is also a Respect score that they amass from others. When the player Monster reaches Elderhood, they also get two percentages for how much the Monsters like humans, and vice versa. Player Monsters also has a hidden Neurosurgeon quality required for a specific ending (players are notified when they gain Neurosurgeon points).</p><p>There are five phases in a Monster's life, every one consisting of a few days:</p><h3>Morselhood</h3><p>The Monster is born from the slime of past monsters contained in a spawning vat as a Morsel. They quickly grow into a Monsterling within a day.</p><h3>Monsterlinghood</h3><p>The Monster starts going on adventures in the Brood Cave under Elder supervision. Decisions made in this phase greatly affect their personality.</p><h3>Adolescence</h3><p>The Monster leaves the Brood Cave and starts living on their own. There are more opportunities to gain Respect from other Monsters in this phase. At the end of this phase, the Adult Monsters will evaluate the Monster and determine its strongest personality aspect.</p><h3>Adulthood</h3><p>The Monster can now start Politicking with other Monsters or adventure into the Waelmist forest that surrounds the village. There are less opportunities to change personalities, and more importance is placed upon gaining respect. Personality also starts to affect the outcomes of decisions more. If the Monster has enough respect or a very strong and well-rounded personality at the end of its Adulthood, they will ascend into an Elder. Otherwise, they will be sent to the vats to Dissolve and nourish the next generation of Monsters.</p><h3>Elderhood</h3><p>Decisions made as an Elder will have an effect on how Monsters and humans see each other. This will change what happens when the humans eventually fully discover the existence of Monsters living in the Waelmist.</p><h2>PC System Requirements</h2><ul><li><strong>OS:</strong> Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> 1GHz</li><li><strong>Memory:</strong> 1GB RAM</li><li><strong>Graphics:</strong> DirectX 9.0c capable</li><li><strong>DirectX®:</strong> 9.0c or higher</li><li><strong>Hard Drive:</strong> 50GB free</li><li><strong>Sound:</strong> Sound card</li></ul>

<p>The second game in the Ride series from <a href="/milestone-srl/3010-1138/" data-ref-id="3010-1138">Milestone s.r.l.</a></p>

Semispheres is a top-down puzzle game where the player must simultaneously control two characters in alternate dimensions.

Join the Italian resistance and snipe the hell out of fascists in the latest Sniper Elite game.

Toy Odyssey: The Lost and Found is a Metroidvania style action-platformer.

An abstract puzzle-platformer where players have the ability to shrink and grow.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>iO is a physics-based puzzle game developed by Gamious. It is currently available for <a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/mac/3045-17/" data-ref-id="3045-17">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/linux/3045-152/" data-ref-id="3045-152">Linux</a>, and <a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/ouya/3045-154/" data-ref-id="3045-154">Ouya</a> and will become available for Xbox One, <a href="https://store.playstation.com/#!/cid=UP1528-CUSA04567_00-IOPHYSICSGAMIOUS" rel="nofollow">Playstation 4</a>, <a href="https://store.playstation.com/#!/cid=UP1528-PCSE00876_00-IOPHYSICSGAMIOUS" rel="nofollow">Playstation Vita</a>, <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9nblggh59n1j" rel="nofollow">Windows Store</a> on the 14th of February 2017.</p>

The first title from famed Metal Slug developer Nazca, Neo Turf Masters is a fast-paced arcade golf game featuring four challenging courses and six golfers with unique stats.

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-ref-id="1300-2126756" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126756-neoturf4.jpg" data-size="small" data-align="right" data-ratio="0.73684210526316" data-width="304" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 304px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:73.7%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126756-neoturf4.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2126756"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126756-neoturf4.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126756-neoturf4.jpg 304w" sizes="(max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px" data-width="304"></a></figure><p>Neo Turf Masters (known in Japan as <em>Big Tournament Golf</em>) is a golf simulation game developed by <a href="/nazca-corporation/3010-3660/" data-ref-id="3010-3660">Nazca</a> and released by <a href="/snk/3010-616/" data-ref-id="3010-616">SNK</a> for <a href="/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84">arcades</a> (running Neo Geo MVS hardware) in early 1996, the <a href="/neo-geo/3045-25/" data-ref-id="3045-25">Neo Geo AES</a> on March 1, 1996, and the <a href="/neo-geo-cd/3045-59/" data-ref-id="3045-59">Neo Geo CD</a> on May 1, 1996.</p><p>The first of two games (the other being <a href="/metal-slug-super-vehicle-001/3030-6941/" data-ref-id="3030-6941">Metal Slug</a>) developed by Nazca (prior to being acquired by SNK), Neo Turf Masters is known for its simplistic gameplay, difficult <a href="/golf-course/3035-1239/" data-ref-id="3035-1239">courses</a>, and a unique <a href="/continue/3015-635/" data-ref-id="3015-635">continue</a> system (where exceptional performance rewards the player with additional game time). It is the <a href="/spiritual-successor/3015-425/" data-ref-id="3015-425">spiritual successor</a> to the team's earlier <a href="/irem-corp/3010-461/" data-ref-id="3010-461">Irem</a> golf games: <a href="/major-title/3030-56884/" data-ref-id="3030-56884">Major Title</a> and <a href="/the-irem-skins-game/3030-28146/" data-ref-id="3030-28146">The Irem Skins Game</a>.</p><p>A mobile port was developed by SNK and released for the <a href="/neo-geo-pocket-color/3045-81/" data-ref-id="3045-81">Neo Geo Pocket Color</a> on July 31, 1999. The original game was digitally re-released for the <a href="/wii/3045-36/" data-ref-id="3045-36">Wii</a> (via <a href="/virtual-console/3015-2925/" data-ref-id="3015-2925">Virtual Console</a>) on August 18, 2008 and for both <a href="/iphone/3045-96/" data-ref-id="3045-96">iOS</a> and <a href="/android/3045-123/" data-ref-id="3045-123">Android</a> devices on June 30, 2016 (by <a href="/dotemu/3010-7701/" data-ref-id="3010-7701">DotEmu</a>). It was included in some <a href="/humble-bundle/3015-6612/" data-ref-id="3015-6612">Humble NEO GEO Bundles</a> starting in late 2015 for the <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a>, <a href="/mac/3045-17/" data-ref-id="3045-17">Mac</a>, and <a href="/linux/3045-152/" data-ref-id="3045-152">Linux</a> (both downloadable, with <a href="/emulation/3015-1587/" data-ref-id="3015-1587">ROMs</a> included, and on modern <a href="/browser/3045-140/" data-ref-id="3045-140">browsers</a>). It was also included in the 2008 <a href="/snk-arcade-classics-v1/3030-20463/" data-ref-id="3030-20463">SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1</a> compilation for the <a href="/playstation-2/3045-19/" data-ref-id="3045-19">PlayStation 2</a>, <a href="/playstation-portable/3045-18/" data-ref-id="3045-18">PlayStation Portable</a>, and Wii.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><figure data-align="right" data-img-src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126754-neoturf2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2126754" data-size="small" data-ratio="0.73684210526316" data-width="304" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 304px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:73.7%" href="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126754-neoturf2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2126754"><img alt="The game's six available golfers." src="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126754-neoturf2.jpg" srcset="http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7465/2126754-neoturf2.jpg 304w" sizes="(max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px" data-width="304"></a><figcaption>The game's six available golfers.</figcaption></figure><p>As far as golf simulation games go, Neo Turf Masters is fairly similar to the traditional offering. The player has four different courses to play on, located in a few international locations: <a href="/germany/3035-281/" data-ref-id="3035-281">Germany</a>, <a href="/japan/3035-37/" data-ref-id="3035-37">Japan</a>, <a href="/the-united-states-of-america/3035-396/" data-ref-id="3035-396">USA</a>, and <a href="/australia/3035-292/" data-ref-id="3035-292">Australia</a>. Each course has 18 holes, naturally, totaling 72 holes of golf. In the arcade version of the game, one coin yields three holes, but successful play is rewarded with more holes, while poor performance results in a reduction of the holes left.</p><p>The player has control over aiming the golfer, adjusting for wind, and then teeing off. Each swing also has a power meter, traditionally found in golfing games, which controls the arc of the swing and the power behind it.</p><h3>Golfers</h3><p>Each of the game's six playable golfers are given a title and a nationality.</p><ul><li><b>George Spinner</b> (American, "Young Hero")</li><li><b>Thomas Stewart</b> (British, "Technician")</li><li><b>Frank Adams</b> (Australian, "Veteran")</li><li><b>Robert Landolt</b> (German, "Shot Maker")</li><li><b>Fernand Almeida</b> (Brazilian, "Power Golfer")</li><li><b>Toyoshiege Takeno</b> (Japanese, "Putt Master")</li></ul>

A fun take on a tank combat game for Nintendo 3DS. A player's abilities depends on their chosen character and that character's custom tank.

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Battle Islands: Commanders is a strategy game developed by <a href="/dr-studios/3010-13715/" data-ref-id="3010-13715">DR Studios</a> and published by <a href="/505-games/3010-277/" data-ref-id="3010-277">505 Games</a> for <a href="/xbox-one/3045-145/" data-ref-id="3045-145">Xbox One</a> and <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a>.</p><p>On November 3rd, 2016 the game was released in <a href="/pre-release-public-testing/3015-7541/" data-ref-id="3015-7541">Early Access</a> on <a href="/steam/3015-718/" data-ref-id="3015-718">Steam</a>.</p><p>The game was released on Xbox One on February 13th, 2017 in its full release.</p><h2>System Requirements</h2><h3>PC Minimum</h3><ul><li>Operating System: Windows 7</li><li>Processor: Intel Core i3 and above</li><li>Memory: 4 GB RAM</li><li>Graphics: GeForce 210, Radeon HD 5450, Intel HD Graphics 3000</li><li>DirectX: Version 10</li><li>Network: Broadband Internet connection</li><li>Storage: 2 GB available space</li></ul><h2>External Links</h2><ul><li><a href="http://www.battle-islands.com/" rel="nofollow">Battle Islands: Commanders Official Website</a></li><li><a href="http://www.505games.com/games/battle-islands-commanders" rel="nofollow">Battle Islands: Commanders 505 Games Website</a></li></ul>